Filleting machine



Aug. `3, 1943. w..H. HUNT FILLETING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21. 19421 7 Sheets-Sheet` l Aug. 3, 1943. 'w.`'H. HNT FILLE'riuG nicht 7 sheets-sheet 2 F11@ Jim. 21. 1942 n INV ENTOR.

W/L L /AM H. Hwv 7' ATTORNEY y Aug. 3, 1943.v fw. H. HUNT FILLETING MACHINE I filed am v21, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 3, 1943.

w. H. HUNT 2,325,680

FILLETING MACHNE Filed Jan. 21, `194:2 'r sheets-snm e INVENFOR'.

W/L L MIM/7. HUNT w. H. HUNT FILLETI'NG MACHINE Filed Jan, 21, 1942 Aug. 3, 1943.

' 7 sheetsfsneet 7 NT OR. HUNT Patented Aug. 3, 1943 FFICE Fin-LISTIN@ MACHINE William H. Hunt, to The Atlantic National City, Coast Fisheries York, N. Y.,` a corporation of Cal-if., assignor Company, New Maine Application January 21, 1942, sei-iaiv No. 427,549

(cl. l74) 16 Claims.

This invention relates to a iilleting machine. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus for feeding fish in proper position to a filleting machine.

An object of this machine is to providea lilleting machine in which the fish, including the tail feather and dorsal fin thereof, as it is fed to the lleting mechanism, is properly positioned and centered so that the filleting mechanism may function eiliciently.

Another object, of this invention is to provide a centering trough which, as `the sh is fed therethrough, centers the fish so that the fish is presented to the fllleting mechanism in proper position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a centering trough comprising a feed trough, a i

positioning trough and a tilting trough arranged in series ,and vin alinement, whereby the fishv vas ii; is progressively fed therethrough will be properly and accurately centered and so presented to the filletlng mechanism.

Otherl andadditional objects will become apparent from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings showing an illustrative embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Figures 1 and 1a constitute a top plan View of a filleting machineembodyiwng theprinciples of the instant invention, with certain parts thereof broken away;

Figures 2 and `2a constitute' central longitudinal sections of the machine shown in Figures 1 and 1a;

Figure 3 is an enlarged top view of one of the sh-positioning mechanisms;

Figure 4 is a view of the under side (bottom) Vof the mechanism shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a section taken on line 5 5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged section taken on line 6--6 of Figure 1;

Figure 'l is a longitudinal section ofthe tilting a trough;

plan view of the tilting trough; end viewlooking to the right of In illieting machines of the type and natureto which the instant invention relates, a decapitated fish is fed between a cutting mechanism, wheref by two incisions are made in theback of the fish `on opposite sides of the backbone and two incisionsare made in the belly of ,the fish. The fish is then fed, preferably at great velocity, onto a pair of ribbing knives, each of which enters the respective incision in the back of the fish adjacent' the backbone andv cuts thenfillet from the skeleton along the ribs.

The cutting mechanism for making the incisions in the dorsal side of the fish on opposite sides of the backbone usually consists of two closely spaced circular toothed knives, and the mechanism for making the incisions in the belly also consists of two rotating circular knives, preferably toothed.

For practical operation, it is necessary that a relatively large number of fish, such as from 60 to' 100 fish, or indeed more, be illeted per minute. In addition, in order for such high speed operation to beenicient, the 'fish should be fed to the rotatingknives in a properly centered condition so that the tail feather and dorsal iin of the fish are not presented to the path of travel of the rotating knives and the incisions `are made in the desired places in the fish. 'Ihe instant invention provides such a feeding and centering mechanism.

In accordance with the principles of(a the instant invention, there 'is provided a centering trough through which the decapitated fish, tail leading, is fed to the rotating knives. During the course oi' travel of the fish in the centering trough, the fish is centered and its position adjusted so that it will be fed to the rotating knives in a posi tion whereby the incisions will be made as Vdesired and the tail feather andv dorsal fin will not be presented in the path of travel of the knives.

In general, the centering trough of the instant invention is composed oi' three component parts,

travelling endless chains engaging the end of the sh.

The decapitated fish is manually introduced i into the feed trough with the tail leading? and the feed trough is made of such ar shape and Iform so as to substantially. position the fish back downward and belly upward, even if the fish werefnot introduced position.

I'he fish, as it is fed from the feed trough, vpasses to. the positioning trough, where the fish is more accurately centered and positioned. The means for more accurately centering and positioning the fish comprises `a plurality of mechanisms, each of which comprises a pair of fin 4guide plates so arranged as to provide a channel (iin guide) through which thel` tail feather and the dorsal fin pass. In addition, there are provided means which aid in guiding the tail feather 'and the dorsal fin into the iin guide. Still further, the positioning trough is provided with positioning guides which serve to position the sh vertically, back downward. Swivel guides are provided to maintain the fish in the adjusted vertical position. v

From the 'positioning trough, the fish is fed into the tilting trough. The tilting trough is provided, generally, with means to retain the fish imposition in which it is received thereby from the positioning trough. In addition, the tilting `trough is also provided with means which comb and separate the components of the dorsal fin of the fish and guide the tail feather. The tilting trough is pivoted adjacent the positioning trough and ismaintained in a slightly inclined upward position by thetension of la spring. At the forward end of the tilting trough, means are provided which are in close proximity to the ro'- tating knives and preferably overlap the bottom asaaeso in` the trough in such a shown in Figure 12, the feed trough d is open at the top thereo and is provided with a sub-Y stantially at bottom i2. The side walls il of the trough E adjacent the feed-in end thereof y flare upwardly, as shown by the reference numeral i3, from the bottom of the trough, and

` then extend in a substantially vertical direction,

as shown by the reference numeral i4. The

flared portions i3 of the side walls il extend` throughout the length of the trough 8. For rea- Sons which will become apparent, the portions l of the side wallsdo not extend throughout the length of the feed trough but terminate in an inclined portion i5.

ln the form shown, the exit end of the trough t termlnates adjacent to and preferably extends into and between a pair of forwardly converging members i5, which are designed to engage the hereafter, are attached to and made integralV fish preferably adjacent the backbone and aid in centering or positioning the fish (back downward). The members i5 may, if desired, be of the same construction as the positioning member 213. hereafter vmore fully described. The member 2li, as shown in Figure la, isdisposed intermediate a pair of swivel plates 2l, also hereafter more fully described.

The converging members IB, in the form shown i with the trough 8. If desired, the converging rotating knives, Vtogether with means to further aid in the guiding of the sh to the rotating knives.

as to feed the tail in a 'vertical plane between the rotating spaced knives. The sh isv engaged by the knives and is propelled forwardly thereby. When the .thicker portion of the body of the fish is engaged by the knives, the tilting trough will tilt so that the backbone and ribs are maintained at approximately theY initial level and the knives ,will make the desired incisions. After the fish has left the tilting trough, the latter Vassumes .its normal inclined upward position.

Referring now to the drawings wherein an embodiment of the instant invention is shown and The tilting trough is so constructed so wherein like reference numerals designate like parts, the reference numeral I .designates a frame Lprovided with a support 2 and supports 3 and 4, which carry angles Sand 6 constituting supports. Foi` reasons which'will become apparent, the supports 5 and 6 are spaced apart by a spacer 1.f' As shown in Figures- 2 and 2a, the supports 5 and 6 extend preferably longitudinally of the machine beneath the feed trough 8 and the positioning trough, which isy generally designated by the reference numeral I0.

v The feed trough isof such ar design and conl struction that, if a fish is manually placed therein with the tail leading and the back downward or approximately horizontal, the fish will be posi- 'l tioned with the tail leading and the back of the fish engaging the bottom` of the trough. The. walls of the feedtrough',- generally designated by the reference numeral Il, are so designed and disposed with respect to the 'bottom of the feed trough that the fish, as it is fed through the trough, will be caused to retain or assume a more or .less vertical position with its back downward-and belly upward.v In order to facilitate the introduction of theushin the 'feed trough, the latter/is preferably open at the top thereof.

Various specific constructions of the feedytrough may be utilized. In the illustrative embodiment 75 forward direction.

members may be made separate from the trough 8, as, for example, by being made as a part of the positioning trough I0.

'The feed trough 8 is appropriately positionedl on the supports 5 and 6, as shown in Figures la and 2a. If desired, adjacent the feed-in end 9 of the feed trough 8, a water spray l1 may be provided so that the trough may be sprayed with watenfwhereby the coeflicient of friction between t-he fish and trough is lessened.

The positioning trough I0, a's previously ex- '1 plained, is constructed and provided with a lurality of mechanisms which will more accu tely position and center the fish fed thereto from the feed troughY 8. The bottom of thepositionng trough I0 is composed of a pair of spaced n guide plates 20, each of said fin guide plates being secured to the respective supports 5 and 6 in any sui-table manner,'as by means of screws 22.

' The space between the fin guide plates 20 is centrally disposed and communicates with th space between the supports 5 and 6 to constitute a 'formed of an angle, the horizontal leg 25 beingV secured to the respective n guide plate and the vertical legs being provided with an inwardly i curved and 'downwardly extending iiange 26.

These positioning guides 24 converge in the direction of the feed ofthe sh and serve to engage the fish-on the4 back adjacent the`- dorsal fin to` prevent the fish from falling on its side' and position Vit in a vertical position. Preferably, each of the positioning guides 24 also'tapers inthe The positioning guides 24 are only one Y 46'. .feather will be engaged by the beveled 'elements rigid. project upwardly for a relatively short distance, and maybetermed ribs.

To aid in positioning and maintaining. the ilsh in a substantially vertical position, a pair of oppositely disposed swivel guides 21 are provided. As shown in Figure 3, the swivelguides 21 are adjacent to and exterior of the positioning guides 24 and also converge'in the direction of the feed of the ilsh. Each of the swivel guides 21 is secured to a post 26 inany convenient manner. In the form shown, each post is provided with a slot Ill, in which one end of the swivel guide 21 is inserted and secured. Each post 261s rotatably mounted in a bearing 42, which is carried by a bracket 44 which is secured to the supports and 6. as shown in Figure 5. by a bolt 36 and a nut 36 Adjacent its lower end and beneath the iin Succeeding the positioning trough and in alinement therewith, there is provided the tilting trough.` Referring -now to Figures 2 and 7, there u is provided a hinge ill'which is pivotally mounted on a stud 5| carried by the supports 5 and 6.

guide plates 20, each post is provided with an equalizing gearsegment 40. One end 44 of a lever 42 is attached to the post 28 adjacent the lower end thereof. The other end of the lever V42 is secured to a coil spring 45. It will thus become apparent that as a fishx passes between and engages the swivel guides V21, and particularly as the fish approaches the exit end thereof, the swivel guides will expand and cause the posts to move the required amount on their axes. The tension of the spring 45 acting on the levers 42 tends to maintain the swivel guides in their normal position, which is as shown in Figure 3,. and thus maintains the swivel guides in contact with the sides of the fish. When there is no ilshbetween the swivel guides, thespring 45 causesthe posts to assume their normal position, and hence f the swivel guides assume their normal position.

The normal position of the swivel guides 21 is' `controlled by the forward ends (in the direction of the feed) of the positioning guides 24.

To aid in the proper positioning of the tail feather and the dorsal fin in the channel 26, there are provided adjacent the channel 23 means which` consist of a pair of downwardly.

extending beveled elements 46 appropriately secured to the respective nn guide plates 20, as by soldering. As will appear from Figure 3, the

' channel 23, adjacent the positionsswherethe bevels 46 are provided, is wider than the remaining portion of the channel. Preferably, there is provided two sets of beveled' elements 46 and 46' cdoperating with each pair of positioning guides 24 and each pair of swivel guides 21. The d istance between the respective pairs of beveled elements 46 and 46' is approximately such that,

' when the tailv feather of a large-size nsh'ls engaged by the bevels 4 6, the dorsal fin will be engaged by the other pair of beveled elements In the case of small size fish, the tail 46', and the beveled element 46 will not at that time be in engagement with the said fish.

As will be seen from Figures l and la, there are provided five sets of the swivel guides, posi- 'tioning guides, etc. It is, of course, to be understood that the invention isnot restricted. to this number but that any number thereof may be n used.k With whiting, it has, however, beenv found j 5 the fin guide plates 20 may extend even beneath the fedtrough 8, as shown in Figure 2a. Normally, the positioning trough is so disposed with to the feed trough that the iirst'position' The horizontal member 52 of the hinge 50 is secured by means of screws or rivets 53 to an angle support. 54 which extends substantially y throughout the length of the tilting trough. Adjacent its free end. the vertical member 55 of the hinge 50 is secured toone end of a spring 56, the other end of the spring being secured to an eye 51adjustably carried inl a bracket 58 g which, in the form shown, is secured to a gear e `housing 69.

The tilting trough is maintained at a slightly inclined position, the inclination being upward from the hinge in the direction of the feed. The degree or angle of `inclination of the tilting `trough is adjustable, and means are provided to maintain the tilting trough at the desired adjusted normal position. This means, as shown and the vertical member 55. The threaded por' vtion 6i` of the shank Gllpasses through a hole 64 in the support 4, and nuts 65 are screwed on the end of the shank projectingbeyond the support 4. It is to be noted that the hole 64 is of a greater diameter than the shank 60, and particularly the threaded portion 6I thereof which passes through said hole. As a result of this construction, when the tilting -trough is depressed, the shank will freely slide (to the right in Figure 7) in the hole 64. The nuts 65 cooperating with the support 41imit the'A movement of the vertical member 55.01.E the hinge 50 (to the left in Figure '7). By adjustment of the nuts 65, the degree of inclination of the trough may be adjusted, and such adjustment will `not in any way interfere withthe `depression or tilting of the trough during its normal operation, as will In the form shown (see Figures 'l and 8), the

tilting trough is provided with two pairs of swivel guides 14 which`are of the same construction and function in the same manner as the swivel guides 21 of the positioning trough, and hence need not be more fully described here. Cooperating with the first pair of swivelguides 14 and intermediate thereofare a .pair of oppositely disposed positioning members 15. As shown in Figures 8, l0 and 13, each ofthe positioning members 15. consists of a vertical membery 16, the bottom of which is secured in any appropriate manner to the respective fin guide plates 12.

At the top, each vertical member 16 is provided i with aninwardlyextending curved member11. As shown in Figures l0 and 13, the curved members 11 are inclineddownw'ardly and are positioned so as to converge in the direction of the reed. Additionalmeacn of tnejmembers Iris channel 13. The curvature of the member 11 is greatest adjacent the feed-in end thereof and gradually flattens out until itis relatively fiat at the exit end thereof. If desired, the vertical member 16 may be secured to a flat plate 18 which is in turn secured to the fin guide plates. The positioning members are substantially identical in construction with the'pbsitioning 1 guides 24..

In order to guide the tail feather and the dorsal fin, the tilting trough is provided with a pair of dorsal iin guides 80 in advance of the forward end o f each' pair of s'wivel guides 14 in the direction of the feed. As shown in Figures 8 and 13, each dorsal n guide 80 is formed of a pair of oppositely disposed spring members secured in any suitable manner to the fin guide plate so as to receive and thereafter comb the tail feather and dorsal 1in of the fish.

In the form shown (see Figure 8), the channel .13 at a position in advance of the forward end of the first pair of swivel plats 14 is appreciably widened, the widened channel being designated by the reference numeral 13a.` In this embodis ment, each spring member of the dorsal n guide 80 is secured adjacent the rearend thereof to a fin guide plate 12 in the channel 13a. As a consequence, rthe Width of. the feed-in end 8| of the dorsal fin guide is approximately the same as the width of the channel 13a. `Eachmember of the dorsal fin guide is curved inwardly from the feed-in end thereof so that they are in close proximity at their free ends 82. yIn addition, each member of the' dorsal iin guide is positioned so that it gradually-inclines or tapers upwardly, with the result that the vfree ends 82 thereof are disposed in a horizontal plane above that of the guide plates.

The channelr 13a extends forwardly in the tilt' ing trough to beyond the second pair-of dorsal n guides 80. Thereafter it becomes narrower, as vdesignated by thereference numeral 13b, and

' enlarges at the end of the trough (see Figure 13). It is further to be noted that the nn guide plates 12 terminate in spaced ,projections or terminals 19.

Adjacent the-forward end of the tiltingl trough, '5.5

there is provided a pair qf guide supports 84, each of which is secured to the supporting angle 54. 'Each guide support is bent into the shape Jshown in Figure 13 and is provided at the top thereof with a guide guide plates 88,.of the form-and shape shown in Figure 13, and each having a'guide 90, is also provided. A t the lowerfendsthereof, the guide supports 84 -re disposed on the guide plates 88 and ablock 9|.is vpositioned intermediate the guide plates 88. 'I'hese lelements are secured togather in any convenient manner, as by a U- shaped element 92. l

'I'he upper portions 94 of the guide plates 88 extend intermediate the lower pair of .knives 98 and theterrninals 19o! the fin guide plates extend outside of said pairof rotating knives 98.

The tilting trough-is so constructed and the spring 56 so balanced that when, after the tail feather has been introduced in the space (in the vertical plane) between the knives 96 and 98 and 86. A pair of closely spaced at approximately the initial level and the knives make the desired incision. The cutting knives 98Y are serrated and each will make an incision in the back of the fish adjacent the backbone. The

upper rotating knives 96 are movably mounted so that they may move in a vertical direction, and each of said knives makes an incision in the belly. rifhereafter, the fish is propelled on to the ribbing knives |00, which cut the fillets from the skeleton. The rotating knives 96 and 98 and the ribbing knives |00 are of the type usually employed in lleting machines and, therefore, require no further explanation thereof.

The flsh -are pushed through the .centering trough by means of appropriately spaced pushers 0, each of` which is mounted on an H- shaped block H2 secured to a continuous chain H4 travelling invhorizontal planes. As shown in Figures 1 andla, there are two continuous chains H4 and I|4', one on` each side of the trough. The pushers H0 are so'disposed on the chains that a pair of them will push a fish through the machine. The pushers H0 on each chain are spaced apart sufficiently so that the distance therebetween is somewhat greater than the length of' the decapitated sh to be filleted.

The blocks I |2 on the chains ||4 and ||4 are guided by and travel between rails H5 and H5 vextending throughout the apparatus.

The driving mechanism forthechains will now .be de'scribed. The gear casing 59 is supported on the frame I, as shown in Figure 6. The chain zontal shaft |30. which is suitably journaled in H4 cooperates with sprocket Wheels I8 and |20 andthe chain H4 cooperates with sprocket wheels H8' and |20'. l

Thesprocket wheels H8 and H8' aresecured to vertical shafts |24 and |24 which are appropriately mounted, in the gear casing, in ballbearings |26. At the lower ends, the shafts |24 land |24' are provided with gears |21 and |21 which mesh with gears |29 and |29' on the horiball-bearings |32 and |34. A cap |36 covers one end of the shaft |30. The other end of the -shaft |30 is provided .with a gear |38 meshing with a gear |39, which ris carried on a shaft |40, carried in bearings |42 and v|44 secured to the frame vof y the machine. A disc clutch, generally designated by the reference numeral |48, is provided. The clutch |48 includes a sprocket|50 which is` driven by a chain |52 from a sprocket |54, carried by a shaft |56 of a motor |58. A yoke shifter |60 is secured to the slidable cone |6| of the clutch. The shifter |60 is carried by the shaft |62 which is operated by' a hand lever |64, appropriately vmounted on 'the frame at |66, througha lever |61. AAs shown in .Figure 1, the clutch is out of engagement and the conveyor chains Will not be moved.

sprocket wheels |20 and |20' (Figures 1a` ments and details of construction, of course, will vary `with the size of the ilshto be filleted. Gen- Guards f posed that thev exit end of a pair of swivel guides will be in close proximity to the entrance end of the nextsucceeding pair of swivel guides. The swivel guides on thetilting trough will be similarly disposed and, in addition, the exit end of the last pair of swivel guides on'the positioning trough will be in close proximity to'the entrance end of the"swivel guides on the tilting trough. As has been previously mentioned, the first pair lof swivel guides on the tilting trough overlaps the feed trough 6. y

`'I'he positioningIl guides 24 on thefpositioning trough are rigid and serve to position the fish in a vertical direction.l In additiornthe guides 24 engage the fish at the back adjacent the dorsal fin andtend to properly position the sh when the latter tilts. The beveled plates 46 and 46' serve to direct the tail feather and the dorsal `fin into the channel 23. 'The positioning guides.

24 on the positioning trough are disposed intermediate `the swivel guides 21 and are of somewhat shorter length.

As shown inFlgure 8, the positioninglguides A of the tilting trough are also disposed intermediate the swivel guides 14. However, the leadin end ofthe positioning guides 15 extend somewhat in advance of the swivel guides 14. The

purpose of this is to assure the reception-of the fish from the positioning trough in proper position.

In operation, the motor is'started and, upon proper manipulation of the handle |64, the disc I6! of the clutch is`brought into clutching yrelationship with the clutch hub |63, whereby each of the chains i I 4 and .I I4 is driven by the mechanisms'previously described to travel in a horizontal plane. A decapitated fish, with tail leading and back downward, is manually introduced into' the feed trough 8. As the chains II4 and n `5 will be urged to assume their normal position thereby engaging the iish and holding it in' a -substantiallyvertical position (back downward). This procedure as to the centering of the fish is effected in each one of the plurality of position-v ing mechanisms on the positioning trough, and thereby an accurate centering of the fish is obtained. X

From the positioning trough, the fish is pushed onto the tilting trough. Since the fish has been accurately centered in the positioning trough, the tail feather of the fish enters the channel 13'of the tilting trough, which is in` alinement with the channel 23 of th'e positioning trough. The fish also engages the positioning guides 15, whereby the fish is maintained accurately centered, and the swivel guides 14 servesto maintain the fish in the position which it has been made to assume. As the tail of the fish leaves the first .pair of swivel guides 14 on the tilting trough, it

l passes between the pair of dorsal fin guides 80,

- H4' travel, a'pair of pushers H0 will engage theA rear end of the fish andA push it'through the centering trough, from whence it isA propelled totherotating knives and ribbing knives. As the fish `is pushed through the feed trough` 6, it is in or,

made to assume a more or less vertical position due to the construction and particularly the cross-section yof the trough 8, and the ribsv I6.

After passing through the feed trough, the fish is pushed by the pushers H0 onto the finiA guide plates 20 of the positioning trough I0, wherein the sh is more' accurately centered and positioned.l The tail of the iishfupon passing to the positioning trough, enters the channel 23 or, if

it does not enter such channel, the pair of'bev-i'4 eled elements 46 of ,thefirst positioning mechanism tends to introduce the tail feather into the channel 23 and then tends to introduce the dorsal n in said channel.` As thefish continues its'passage through the first positioning mechanism, the back thereof, and particularly the portions ,adjacent the dorsal fin, engage the) pair of thereto wheref'the tail is guided. f Continued movement;

" of the fish causes the dorsal fin to pass through the enlarged portion 13a of the channel 13` and then, as it leaves the swivel guides 14, to be engaged by the dorsal fin guides 80, which also guide the dorsal i'ln. The fish, in its continued progress, then is fed between the second pair of swivel guideson the tilting trough and through th dorsal iln guides in advance thereof. Continued movement of the fish rcauses the tail feather to pass into the vertical space between the knives. The dorsal hn is likewise directed between the rotating knives and out of the patn of travel thereof. When the knives engage the' thicker portion of the body of the fish, the trough tilts whereby the backbone and ribs are maintained at approximately the initial level and the knives make the desired incisioni The tilting of the trough is momentary and, as soon as the thicker portion of the fish has passed between the knives, the spring 56 brings the tilting trough back into normal position. The ishv is pushed -by the pushers on chains at Va relatively'high 2 a high velocity onto the ribbing knives |00, where the. filleting is completed. l

,Since itis obvious that various changes and modifications-may be made in the above description without departing from the nature or spirit thereof, this invention `is not to be restricted l except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claimz' 1. In a fish lleting machine having means to form an incision in the back of the fish on each side of and adjacent the backbone thereof, means .to push a fish,.,tail leading and back downward,

` to said incision-making means,land a centering positioning guides 24, which tend'to (tilt if necessary) position the sh in a vertical direction. The swivel guides 21 of the first positioning mechanism engage the sh at the opposite sides therethe swivel guides 21' .of and tend to maintain the fish in the vertical I' `the fish on opposite sides thereof to maintain troughthrough which the fish-is,v pushed and wherein the sh iscentered so that it is fed to the incision-making means in proper position,2 said centering trough having a channel to guide the tail feather of the fish, means to position the fish in a vertical direction, means to-engage adjacent the backbone thereof, means Y to push a fish,- tail leading andback downward,

the fish on opposite sides thereof to maintain the sh substantially vertically.

'7. In a fish filleting machine having means to f form an incision in the back of the sh on each side of land adjacentv ther backbone thereof,

means to push a fish, tail leading and back downward, to said incision-making means, and a positicningY trough through which the fish is pushed and whereby the fish is positioned, said posisubstantially vertically, and means to guide the tail feather and dorsal fin thereof.

i 3. In a fish lleting machine having means to form an incision in the back .of the fish on each side of and adjacent the backbone'thereof, means to push a fish, tailleadingand back downward,

i to said incision-making means, and a positioning trough through which the fish is pushed, ysaid positioning trough having a channel extending throughout the length thereof to guide the tail feather and a plurality of devices arranged in series to position the sh, each of said devicesV comprising means to position the fish in a substantially' vertical direction, and means to engage the fish on opposite sides thereof to maintain the fish substantially vertically.

4. In a' fish filleting machine having means to. form an incision in the back of the fish on each side of and adjacent the backbone thereof, means to push la fish, tail leading and'back downward,

tioning troughI having a channel extending throughout the length thereof to guide the tail feather and a plurality of devices arranged in series to position the fish, each of said devices comprising a pair of oppositely disposed up- .standing ribs extending longitudinally of and converging in the direction of the feed and provided with curved surfaces to engage the fish and position it in a substantially vertical direction, said channel passing between said ribs, and means to engage thev fish on opposite sides thereof to maintain the fish substantially vertically.

8. In a fish lletirig machine having means to.

form an lincision in the back of thefish on each side of and adjacent the backbone thereof, means to push a fish, tail leading and back l downward, to said incision-making means, and

to said incision-making means, and a positioning trough through which the fish is pushed and whereby the fish is positioned, said positioning trough having a. channel extending throughout the length thereof to guide the tail feather and a plurality of devices arranged in series to position the fish, eachof said devices comprising means' to aid in introducing the tail feather in 'said channel, means to position the fish in a substantially vertical direction, and means to engage the fish on opposite sides thereof to maintain the fish substantially vertically.

5."In a fish filleting machine having means to form an incision in the backof the fish on each side of and adjacent the backbone thereof',4 means to,push a fish, tail leading and back downward, to said incision-making means, and a positioning trough through which the fish lis pushed and whereby the fish is positioned, said positioning trough having a channel extending throughout the length thereof to guide the Vtail feather and va plurality of devices arranged in series to position the fish, each of said devices comprising a pair of oppositely disposed beveled 'elements to aid in introducing the tail feather a positioning trough through which the fish is pushed and ywhereby the fish is positioned, said positioning trough having a channel extending throughout the length thereof to guide the tail feather and a plurality of devices arranged in series to position the fish, each of said devices comprising means on opposite sides of said channel to position the fish in a substantially vertical direct-ion, and a pair of spring-controlled swivel guides to engage the iish'on opposite sides thereof to maintain the fish substantially vertically. n

9. In a fish filleting machine having means to form an incision in the back of the fish on each side of and adjacent the backbone thereof,

Ameans to push a fish, tail leading and back downward, to said incision-making means, and a positioning trough through which the fish is pushed and whereby the fish is positioned, lsaid positioning trough having a channel exten/ding throughout the length thereof to guide the tail feather and a pluralitylof devices arranged in seriesto position the fish, each of said devices comprising means on opposite sidesof said channel to position the sh in a substantiallyl vertical direction, a pair of plates disposed exteriori ly of the means to position the fish and norin said channel, means to position the fish in a substantially vertical direction, and means to engagethe fish on opposite sides thereof to maintain the fish substantially vertically,

6. In a fish filleting machine having' means to form an incision in the back ofthe fish on each side of and adjacent the backbone thereof, means to push a sh, tail leading and back downward; to said incision-making means, and a position- .ing trough through which the fish .is pushed and whereby the fish is positioned, said positioning trough havingl a channel extending throughout the length thereof to guide the tail feather and a plurality of devices arranged in series to position the fish, each of said devices comprising a pairof oppositely disposed ribs extending longitudinally of and converging in the direction of the feed to engage .the sh and position it in a substantially vertical direction, said channel mally converging in the direction of the feed to engage the fish at opposite sides thereof, means to pivotally mount-each of said plates at the rear end thereof, and spring-controlled means toA continuously urge the plates into the normal converging position.

10. In a fish filleting machine having means to form an incision in the 'back of the fish on each side of and adjacent the backbone thereof, means to push a fish, tail leading and back downward, to said incision-making means, and a positioning trough through which the sh is pushed and whereby the. flshis positioned, said positioning trough having a channel extending throughout the length thereof to guide the tail feather and a plurality of devices arranged in series to position the fish, each of said devices' the means to position the fish and normally coni passing between said ribs, and means toengage verging in the direction of thefeed to engage the fish at opposite sides thereof, a pair of spaced rotatably mounted posts, each post being secured to the rear end of one of said plates, each-posty having secured thereto beneath the; trough an equalizing gear which is disposed in cooperative relationship, and each post having secured thereto 'a lever and a spring connecting said levers.

11. In a fish fllleting machine having means to form an incisiony in the back of the fish on each side of and adjacent the backbone thereof, means to push a iish, tail leading and back downward, to said incision-making means, and a centering trough through which the fish is pushed and wherein the fish is centered so that it is fed to the incision-making means in proper position, said centering trough comprising a positioning trough having a channel extending throughout stantially the position as received from the posiin the direction of the feed to guide the tail the length thereof to guidethe tail feather and a plurality of devices arranged in series to position and substantially maintain the fish in a substantially vertical direction, a tilting trough arranged in alinement and in close proximity to said positioning trough whereby a fish pushed from said I positioning troughwill pass to said tilting trough,

means to tiltably mount said tilting trough adjacent the rear end thereof, said tilting trough having a channel extending throughout its length and disposed in alinement with the channel of said positioning trough, means to receive and maintain the fish in substantially the position as received from the positioning trough, and i means to guide the tail feather and dorsal iin as the fish is pushed across the tilting trough.y

12. In a fish filleting machine having means to form an incision in the back of the fish 'on each side of and adjacent the backbone thereof, means to push a sh, tail leading and back downward, to said incision-making means, and a centering trough through which the fish is pushed and wherein the fish is centered so that it is fed to the incision-making means in proper position,

said centering trough comprising a 'positioning trough having a channel extendingJ throughout the length thereof to guide the tail feather and a plurality of devices arranged in series to position and substantially maintain the fish in' a substantially vertical direction, a tilting trough arranged in alinement and in close proximity to,`

said positioning trough whereby a fish pushe from said positioning trough will pass to said tilting trough, means to tiltably mount said tilting trough adjacent the rear end thereof, said tilting trough having a channel extending throughout its length and disposed in alinement with the channel" of said positioning trough, means to receive and `maintain the fish in substantially the position as received from the positioning trough,vand a pair of oppositely disposed spring members converging in the. directiomof the feed to guide the tail feather and dorsal fin. 13. In a fish filleting machine having means to form an incision in the back of the fish on each side of and adjacent the backbone thereof, means to push a fish, tail leading and back downward, Ato said incision-making means, and acentering trough through which the fish is pushed and wherein the -fish is centered so that it is fed to the incision-making means in proper position, said centering trough comprisingV a positioning trough having a channel extending throughout the length thereof yto guide the tail feather and a plurality of devices arranged in series to position'and substantially maintain the fish in a substantially vertical direction, a tilting trough arranged in alinement and in close proximity to said positioning trough whereby'a fish pushed Y from said positioning' trough will pass to said tilting trough, means -to tiltably mount said tilt- 5 ing trough adjacent the 'rear end thereof, said tilting trough having a 'channel extending throughout its length and disposed in alinement with the channel of said positioning tro-ugh, means to receive and maintain the fish in subtioning trough, said channel of said tilting trough having a widened portion, and a pair of oppo-i sitely disposed spring members secured in said widened portion of said channel and converging feather and dorsal fin.

v14. In a fishl filleting machine having means to the incision-making means in proper position,`

said centering trough comprising .a positioning v trou'gh having a channel extending throughout .the length thereof toguide the tail feather and a plurality of devices arranged in series to position and substantially maintain thefish in a sub- 0 stantially vertical direction', a tilting trough arranged in alinement and in close proximity to said positioning trough whereby a fish pushed `from said positioning trough will pass to said tilt- `ing trough, means to tiltably mount said tilting trough adjacent the rear end thereof, said tilting trough having a channel extending throughout its length and disposed in alinement with the channel of said positioning trough, said tilting trough having a plurality of pairs of spring- '40 controlled swivel guides arranged in series to engage the fish on opposite sides thereof, and a pair 45 tail feather and/dorsal fin.

15. In a fish filleting. machine having means to form an incision in the back of the fish on each side of and adjacentthe backbone thereof, means to push a fish, tail leading and back downward, to said incision-making means, anda centering trough through which the fish is pushed `and wherein the fish is centered so that it is fed to the incision-making means in proper position,

said centering trough comprising a positioning trough having a channel extending throughout the length thereof to guide the tail feather and a plurality of devices arranged in series to position and substantially maintain the fish in a substantially vertical direction, a tilting trough arranged in alinement and in close proximity to said positioning trough whereby a fish pushed from said positioning trough will pass to said tilting trough,.means to tiltably mount said tilting trough adjacent the rear end thereof, said sitely disposed spring members positioned in advance of each pair -otswivel guides and contilting trough having a channel extending verging in the direction of the feed to guide the tail feather and dorsal n. l

16. In a fish lletingmachine having means to form an incision in the back of the iish on each side of andr adjacent the backbone thereof, means topush a. fish, tail leading and back downward, to said incision-making means, and

y a centering trough through which the fish f arranged in alinexnent and inclose proximity to said positioning trough whereby a fish pushed from said positioning trough will pass to said tilting trough, means to tiltably mount said tilting trough adjacent the rear end thereof, said tilting trough having a channel extending throughout its'length and disposed in alinernent with the channel of said positioning trough, means to receive and maintain the sh in the position receive from the positioning trough, and means to guide the tail feather and dorsal fin as the sh is pushed across the tilting trough, said tilting trough being so balanced that when the tail of the :fish reaches the end thereof the trough will' be depressed and the tail feather will be presented in proper position 'to lthe incisionmaking means.

WHLUM E HUNT. 

